Nanoparticles, Magnetic Current, Used to Destroy Head, Neck Tumors

Using nanoparticles and alternating magnetic fields, scientists have discovered that head and neck cancerous cells in lab mice can be killed in 30 minutes without injuring healthy cells.

The findings, published February 2012 in the journal Theranostics, designates the first time to the researchers’ knowledge this cancer type has been treated using magnetic iron oxide nanoparticle-induced hyperthermia, or above-normal body temperatures, in laboratory mice.

“We show that we can use a small concentration of nanoparticles to kill the cancer cells,” remarked Dr. Qun Zhao, lead author and assistant professor of physics at the University of Georgia’s (Athens, USA) Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. Researchers found that the treatment easily destroyed the cells of cancerous tumors that were composed entirely of a type of tissue that covers the surface of a body, which is also known as epithelium.

Several researchers worldwide are exploring the use of heated nanoparticles as a potential cancer treatment. Earlier research also has revealed that high temperatures created by incorporating magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles with strong alternating magnetic currents can create enough heat to kill tumor cells. Dr. Zhao reported that he is hopeful about his findings, but explained that future studies will need to include larger animals before a human clinical trial could be considered.

For the research, the scientists injected 0.5 mL of nanoparticle solution directly into the tumor site. With the mouse relaxed under anesthesia, they positioned the animal in a plastic tube wrapped with a wire coil that generated magnetic fields that alternated directions 100,000 times each second. The magnetic fields generated by the wire coil heated only the concentrated nanoparticles within the tumor and left the neighboring healthy cells and tissue unharmed.

According to Dr. Zhao, the study creates an avenue for further investigation that might assess how to use a biodegradable nanoparticle material similar to magnetic iron oxide for other roles in fighting cancer, such as carrying and delivering anticancer drugs to the tumor site. “When the cancer cell is experiencing this heated environment, then it becomes more susceptible to drugs,” Dr. Zhao said.

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles could be useful in improving the contrast in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at a cancer site, he said. Meaning, the nanoparticles could help physicians identify cancer even if it is not visible to the naked eye with an MRI scan. “The reason I am interested in using these magnetic nanoparticles is because we hope to one day be able to offer diagnosis and therapeutics, or theranostics, using a single agent,” Dr. Zhao concluded.

Related Links:
University of Georgia